Post-hole digger.



J. J. ARMSTRONG, SR-

POST HOLE BIGGER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.I7. I916.

m m Apr. 17, 1917.

LQQJH l o s nznsns m, ruomum TTED dTATES PATENT JOHN JOSHUA ARMSTRONG, SR., OF WEIIVIAR, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR 0F 0l\l"EIlTI-I T0 ROBERT L. WILLIAMS AND ONE-SIXTH T0 THOMAS A. HILL.

POST-HOLE BIGGER.

Application filed August 17, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN J. ARMSTRONG, S12, a citizen of the United States, residing at Weimar, in the county of Colorado, State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Post-Hole Digger; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improved post hole digger having a wire clamping attachment, and an object of the invention is to provide a simple, eiiicient and practical device of this kind, for facilitating the digging or excavation of a post hole, whereby the sides of the hole may be dug substantially straight.

Another object of the invention is to provide a digger of this kind, whereby the removal of the excavated dirt is facilitated.

One of the features of the invention is to provide a digger comprising two pivoted digging blades, disposed in spaced parallel relation when the digger is forced into the ground, in combination with a pair of handles adapted to be separated, to force the digging blades toward each other, so as to clamp the excavated dirt, whereby the same may be extracted from the hole.

In practical fields, the details of construction may necessitate alterations falling within the scope of what'is claimed.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts, as hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings, and claimed.

in the drawings Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the improved post hole digger.

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 4l-1- of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the wire clamping means.

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view through one of the blades.

Referring more especially to the drawings, 1 and 2 designate a pair of digging blades, which are curved in cross section, so that when the blades are brought together,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. illl, 191?. Serial No. 115,439.

they will cup and clamp" the earth. The upper portions of both blades at points 3 are bent toward each other, and the adjacent portions of these bent parts i are rolled to form sleeves 5, inter-engaging as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 so as to receive the bolt 6 having a nut 7, whereby said blades may be pivotally united. Secured to the inner faces of the digging plates 1 and 2 by means of rivets 6 are the handle shanks 7 which extend upwardly through the openings 8 of the bent parts 4L and converge toward each other, as shown, so as to engage each other for a slight distance, designated by thenumeral 9. Beyond where the handle shanks engage, they diverge from each other a short distance, and then terminate in parallel handles 10. One of the handle shanks where it engages the other shank has secured to it by means of a rivet 11 a U-shaped member 12, the arms 13 of which yieldably clamp the other handle shank, when the two shanks are together. Pivotally secured to the handle shanks by the pins ll are links 15, the lower ends of which curve toward and are pivoted together by the pin 16. The two links 15 constitute clamping jaws for clamping a fence wire when stretching the same. In digging a post hole, the handles 10 are held together, after which the blades while separated are driven down into the ground, then the handles 10 are thrown apart, thereby bringing the digging blades together, so as to clamp and cup the earth or dirt, where by the same may be easily removed without spilling a great quantity thereof. The transverse curvature of the blades prevents the loss of the earth or dirt.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed as new and useful, is

In a post hole digger; the combination with a pair of digging blades, being curved transversely, and having their upper portions bent toward each other and means for pivotally uniting said bent portions whereby said blades are held at spaced relations when entering the ground; of a pair of handle shanks secured to the inner faces of said blades, extending upwardly through said bent portions, and, converging toward each other and then engaging a short distance, and diverging forming handles, whereby said handle shanks may be separated for In testimony whereof I have signed my moving said blades toward each other to name to this speoifioatlon 1n the presence of clamp the earth, when withdrawlng the two subscribing wltnesses.

blades from the hole; and a U-shaped clamp JOHN JOSHUA ARMSTRONG, SR. oarried by one handle shank having spring ivit arms, between which the other shank is F. A. HILL,

received, to hold the shanks together. J N0. KUNETKA.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

